At the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, tensions rise between admin and volunteer guides

"Sheila Pressley, the museums' Director of Education, stated, 'We want our volunteer docents to be able to focus on working with visitors, which is what they excel at and what many have expressed to me is the most rewarding part of docenting.'"

"Pressley identified 14 'leadership areas' for volunteer guides, including scheduling and 'liaising with museum staff,' indicating a shift in responsibilities for the new program."

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco will end its 60-year collaboration with the Docent Council in July, transitioning to a new program called 'Museum Guides.' The education department will oversee an eight-week training course, replacing the previous two-year program. All current docents have completed the new training and will continue as museum guides. A new class for prospective guides will begin in the fall, with positions remaining unpaid. Some current docents express dissatisfaction with the changes.

Read at Mission Local